Expanding the GJNC 16 Open All-Tournament Team
Let’s make a few picks of our own. In case you missed it, we just discussed the group of incredible athletes that were selected to GJNC’s 16 Open all-tournament team. Those players were selected from teams that reached the Round…
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Continue ReadingLet’s make a few picks of our own.
In case you missed it, we just discussed the group of incredible athletes that were selected to GJNC’s 16 Open all-tournament team. Those players were selected from teams that reached the Round of 8 and battled for a division championship on the event’s final day.
Time to bend those restrictions a bit. Among all the deserving players that were given all-tournament honors, there were countless more athletes outside the Gold bracket who put together eye-popping performances throughout the weekend. So, we’re going to pile on to the 16 Open all-tournament team to create a (very large) super team.
Here’s a breakdown of some all-tournament-worthy performers who frequently stole the show in Indy.
The Metro Duo
You can talk about one without mentioning the other. They’re just that good.
The Metro outside hitter tandem of Emerson Sellman Emerson Sellman 6'4" | OH Academy of Holy Cross | 2024 State #5 Nation VA and Macaria Spears Macaria Spears 6'3" | OH Prestonwood Christian | 2025 State #5 Nation TX built on an outstanding season by dazzling us one more time in Indy. Having to deal with one of these hitters in the frontcourt at all times seems unfair. Sellman and Spears led Metro 16 Travel to a perfect overall record in Round 1 pools before falling just short in a daunting second-round group that featured Dynasty and OTVA.
A busy month continues for these two, as Sellman and Spears join the USAV U19 training team in Tulsa for a chance at making the squad’s final roster.
Here’s a 2025 outside hitter that has already captured a lot of attention.
Macaria Spears Macaria Spears 6'3" | OH Prestonwood Christian | 2025 State #5 Nation TX helped lead Metro 16 Travel to a 3-0 record yesterday and looks dialed in already this morning. #GJNC pic.twitter.com/c4gvJOLbXx
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 2, 2022
Already Committed
We’re just shy of a month into the open recruitment period for the Class of 2024, and the list of college-committed athletes from this class is still an exclusive one. Even still, that small group of players still managed to make a big impression at GJNC.
In my 16 Open GJNC preview, I discussed the impending matchup between Nebraska commits on the opening day of pools. That match certainly delivered, and so did the future Cornhuskers on both sides of the net.
Skyler Pierce Skyler Pierce 6'3" | OH Olathe Northwest | 2024 State #4 Nation KS of Dynasty 16 Black put her six-rotation skills on display en route to a top-three finish at GJNC. Aside from her physicality and high contact point at the net, Pierce has demonstrated a lot of maturity through her smart shot selection and willingness to take on a major serve receive role. Those traits will undoubtedly be coveted at the next level with the Cornhuskers.
Pierce’s fellow Cornhusker commit in 16 Open, Ayden Ames Ayden Ames 6'4" | MB Prosper | 2024 State #3 Nation TX , put her wicked arm on display once again for TAV 16 Black. She can hit just about any frontcourt attacking pattern imaginable and has shined as a middle and opposite for TAV this year. Ames and Pierce are sure to produce a lot more memorable moments both in club venues and in the Big Ten.
Here’s your future #Huskers snapshot with @dynastyvbc and @TAVVolleyball facing off in 16 Open at GJNC.
Skyler Pierce Skyler Pierce 6'3" | OH Olathe Northwest | 2024 State #4 Nation KS and Ayden Ames Ayden Ames 6'4" | MB Prosper | 2024 State #3 Nation TX meet across the net after both just committed to @Huskervball. pic.twitter.com/GRKFXwzWWZ
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 1, 2022
Speaking of Big Ten-bound players, USC commit Brooklyn Tealer Brooklyn Tealer 6'0" | OH Gainesville | 2024 State #111 Nation FL had a standout weekend on the left side for Gainesville Juniors (still letting this conference realignment sink in). Her range on the pin was among the best we saw in 16 Open competition last weekend. The Women of Troy have to be thrilled to see Tealer make the cross-country trip to SoCal for college ball.
Brooklyn Tealer Brooklyn Tealer 6'0" | OH Gainesville | 2024 State #111 Nation FL has been absolutely teeing off for Gainesville Jrs. this morning.
The Class of 2024 outside hitter is already committed to play in the Big Ten with @uscwomensvolley. (There, I said it!) #GJNC pic.twitter.com/TKBmirWa70
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 1, 2022
And the list just goes on for the Big Ten. Triangle 16 Black middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot showed the kind of quickness and length that she will bring to Illinois at the next level. Likewise, future Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer Charlie Fuerbringer 5'11" | S Mira Costa | 2024 State #2 Nation CA continued to show her well-rounded game as the unquestioned leader for Mizuno Long Beach’s quick offense.
Pool 6’s top seed makes a statement!@IlliniVBall commit Ashlyn Philpot puts away match point to give Triangle 16 Black a huge win over Long Beach. #GJNC pic.twitter.com/Rd9LAKar3p
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 2, 2022
So here’s a crucial Pool 6 matchup that’s just getting started: Mizuno Long Beach and Triangle squaring off.
Top two seeds in the group. Great feed from Charlie Fuerbringer Charlie Fuerbringer 5'11" | S Mira Costa | 2024 State #2 Nation CA to Bryn Shankle for @MizunoLongBeach. #GJNC pic.twitter.com/IkDBNV9Rnj
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 2, 2022
Of course, the Big Ten isn’t the only conference getting in on the commitment party. A5 Mizuno’s Hannah Benjamin announced her pledge to 2020 national champion Kentucky immediately after GJNC concluded. The SEC-bound outside hitter was certainly due for this kind of reward after she put together one of the best GJNC weekends we saw from a left-side hitter.
Around the Map
Naturally, USAV Nationals is a good way to showcase talent from every corner of the United States. I want to point out a few more players from all around the map that had performances worthy of recognition.
Jessica Jones Jessica Jones 6'2" | MB Wakeland Highschool | 2024 State #169 Nation TX is a name worth dropping here. Texas players usually have no problem standing out on the national stage, but Jones’ ascent with Flyers helps demonstrate the incredible depth of the Lone Star State. Don’t lose sight of this middle blocker in the huge pool of Texas talent.
Jessica Jones Jessica Jones 6'2" | MB Wakeland Highschool | 2024 State #169 Nation TX is doing work off one foot this morning.
Such an agile middle for Frisco Flyers at #GJNC. @PrepDigTX pic.twitter.com/5TR87nVC39
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 1, 2022
Let’s swing over to California now. Vision 16 Gold had a nice showing in Indy, and outside hitter Taylor Williams Taylor Williams 6'2" | RS Saint Francis | 2024 State #160 Nation CA was a huge part of that. She consistently had all-tournament-caliber moments in the tight matches that 16 Gold frequently found itself in.
A three-set battle goes to @VisionVBC 16 Gold on Court 32! Taylor Williams Taylor Williams 6'2" | RS Saint Francis | 2024 State #160 Nation CA comes up clutch again.
So many tight contests and upsets to discuss in 16 Open, and we’re just getting started at #GJNC. pic.twitter.com/ZfKHqzqXMM
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 1, 2022
Also looming large on the west coast is Haylee LaFontaine Haylee LaFontaine 6'0" | OH Huntington Beach | 2024 State #174 Nation CA from Seal Beach 16 Black. If you were naming an all-tournament team based on versatility and wide-ranging impact, LaFontaine is a must-have on your list. Not only did she elevate well on the left pin, but her jump spin serve gave passers fits throughout the event.
Why not throw out a few more names from the Great Plains? KC Power 16-1’s phenomenal floor defense stood out once again, and it has multiple key contributors in the backcourt. Mya Bolton Mya Bolton 5'3" | DS/L St. James Academy | 2024 State #134 Nation KS and Rachel Van Gorp Rachel Van Gorp 5'9" | OH Heritage Christian | 2024 State #94 Nation KS were as good as any libero in 16 Open last weekend, and having them together along the end line is quite a luxury.
Keep traveling east to find more athletes who made a big statement at GJNC. Juleigh Urbina Juleigh Urbina 5'10" | S McKeel Academy of Technology | 2024 State #86 Nation FL is still the same showstopping setter we saw during the grind of qualifier season. The OT 16 O Roberto leader helps keep everything within that team flowing, and we can expect big things from that group next year.